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American Dramatists Series 



' i 



Their Lives Translated 



an original play 
in three acts with 
prologue and epilogue 

By 
CORA TEN EYCK 




BOSTON 

THE POET LORE COMPANY 

THE GORHAM PRESS 



Copyright, 1919, by Cora Ten Eyck 



All Rights Reserved 



\\ 



^^f lb /9/y 



MADE IN THE3 UNITED STATES OP AMERICA 



The Gorham Press, Boston, ¥. S. A. 



©Ci.O 52798 



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•y/ 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 
Principal 

Tammen — Spirit of Solitude. 

DEGEN I f 11 rp- 

^ \ Lovers of all 1 ime. 

CORNA j 

Craig — Their celestial friend. 
Minor 

Three Judges of the Seventh Heaven. 

* * * 

OsMO — Coma's man in the Stone Age. 
Oak — A man of the Stone Age. 

* * * 

Justin — Comas father, a medieval King. 
Hagar — Coma's nurse. 
Attendants ; soldiers. 

* * * 

Three Gentlemen of Georgian Period. 

Lady Sybil ) „ , . . . 
_ _ > Lorna s triends. 

Lady Clara j 

Lord Fulton — Coma's suitor. 

Father of Corna. 

Three Citizens. 

* * * 



Their Lives Translated 

PROLOGUE 

Scene in the mountains. Tammen is seen waiting 
for a youth who struggles wearily up over the rocks 
toward him. 

Tammen 

"What seekest thou here, rash youth, in this forbid- 
ding spot? 
Has sorrow urged thee to these lonely heights? 
Or hast thou heard the music of the spheres, 
And seek'st thou here the hand that strikes the 

harp? 
Seems to mine aging eye you must be ministered 
By legion guardian angels. Speak, splendid youth, 
Acquaint me with thy heart's profoundest wish; 
Perhaps my feeble hand may hold the cup 
Of knowledge that thou cravest ; well I know 
Not Youth's gay whim hath been thy pilot here ; 
The "Mighty Secret" must have stretched to you 

her hand 
Across the waste and burning desert sand ; 
Thou art the one, truly I know thy face, 
5 



6 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

Degen 

Father, had my heart been a book that you had read 
You could not then have read the text more clear; 
Never indeed hath Youth her whimsies flashed 
Brightly enough to blind me. All my life 
Has superstition fouled the bubbling fount 
Of Thought, and black Fear essayed 
To beat me back into the trodden paths 
Millions have followed blindly. Did they leave 
A fitting answer to the soul's demands 
For reason, reason for the souls sojourning here 
Through tears and trials, through wars and pesti- 
lence ; 
And last, not least, through the winding ways of 

love 
Alluring, maddening, stripping the soul of strength 
But satisfying never, like the poppy's song 
Whose ultimate sweetness no mortal ever hears? 
Aye! had they answered any one of these 
My treasonable questions, I had not here been found 
Way-worn, weary, but still as the lover flies 
To love's first trysting, seeking solitude. 

Tammen 

If then thou seekest solitude 

Thou hast no need for me. I will away. 



PROLOGUE 7 

Degen 

Stay, father! stay! you seem to be 

Solitude articulate, the soul of what I sought. 

If you are not the voice of wisdom clothed 

In terrestrial garments, you do seem to be, 

Call yourself Solitude and further speak with me. 

Tammen 

What wouldst thou then of Solitude 

My son, hast thou not learned of life that all is 

mystery ? 
And were I solitude indeed, could I have gaged 
Those soundless depths the walls of centuries 

guard ? 
Where hast thou learned that Solitude could speak? 

Degen 

Father, I am not satisfied with Science's devious 

way. 
Her multiplied divisions. Have we found 
The fountain head of Life's tremendous urge; 
The answer to those questions that go thundering 

down 
Through generations, dying out at last 
In each sad heart, only as that heart ceases troub- 
ling, 



8 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

Sinking unsatisfied, into the past profound? 
Why was I given vision of myself complete, 
Only to seek in vain for my completed self ? 
You know 'tis written, seek and thou shalt find, 
Knock, it shall be opened unto you ; these words 

are not 
Empty of meaning. I have dwelt apart 
Much of my youth, being called a dreamer, aye and 

idler, too. 
But I have had, and it has paid for all, 
Glimpses of life as though it had not here 
Begun its stormy passage. Why I should 
Say stormy, when my life has sheltered been. 
And grief has not come nigh me, I know not; but 

I know 
The words are truth and I would prove them here. 
Have you no message for me, gray bearded Soli- 
tude? 

Tammen 

Thou hast believed that unto him who knocked 
It should be opened, and it shall be. Solitude 
Hath forced the gates of wisdom; at that pass- 
word Faith, 
They open for thy eager feet to pass. But when 

thou comest hence 
Thou canst no longer be the child of Circumstance. 



PROLOGUE 9 

Thou comest forth a Master, or thou canst not come 

at all. 
Art willing to forsake thy care-free days 
And put thy shoulder to the wheels of Fate, 
Which grind out Justice to a doubting world; 
The distant good, and not the present ease? 

Degen {greatly excited) 

Your words are tokens of a half-glimpsed truth, 
I am no finite man. I have elsewhere lived, 
Rejoiced and suffered. This wall I would pull 

down 
From betwixt myself and memory. 'Tis a flimsy 

thing 
To so resist intelligence and prayer, for I have 

prayed 
For an extended vision. I am willing, father, 
For any load of duty, rather than to be 
The mouse Tantalus plays with ceaselessly. 
Can you direct me to Life's dwelling place? 

Tammen 

Thou hast thyself discovered it. Thy feet 
Are standing where she lately trod, her breath 
Even now disturbs the mountain's quiet hour. Hark! 
{They hear soft rustling, as of wind in the trees). 
Come, prepare to meet her. 



N 



lo THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

{Degen starts, looks intently as at something in 
the distance, clasps hand over his eyes, looks again, 
exclaims:) I see! I see! (Forgets Tammen, 
falls on knees J prays:) 

Father, the way's been grievous, I'll do thy will, 
Complete thy work in me. 

(Tammen steps in front of Degen as Coma, hair 
streaming, long cape splashed and torn, drooping 
from one shoulder, picks her way staggeringly over 
the rocks). 

CoRNA (pantingly) 

I'm mad, of course, I must be mad. (Sees Tam- 
men, stops). 

God mocks my madness, 'twas from man I fled and 
here's a man. 

Gray locks don't matter, I could tempt even he. 

Tammen (gently) 

Daughter, what troubles thee? Let the old man 
be 

Thy father confessor. 

(Corna glances back the way she came as if to 

retreat, clutching her cloak about her, then steps 

impulsively toward Tammen). 

I will. I'll pour my heart out. You are no mor- 
tal man, say so for my sake. 



PROLOGUE II 

Tammen 

And if I were, there do be some 
Who have immortal gifts, and have permit 
To use them even on earth, that mortal eyes 
May look on life and death beyond the skies. 
For there is death in heaven, only thus 
Could earth be peopled . . . 

Corn A (with scorn) 

Pah! old man, I care not what's in heaven, it can 

wait 
For its own time, answering its own questions; 
My concern is here, here with my mad human heart, 
My soul is caught in this (strikes her bosom) ; 
Father, I fled, not so much from men as from my- 
self. 
Oh! I have dreamed of love as something high 

and holy, 
And played with it as birds employ the breeze 
To lighten their own flight, seeking in every man 
An anchorage for self, but finding only scorn 
Deep scorn for all they gave, and they have given 

richly 
And from noble hearts. Is it that I am made 
As bawds are made, that I can never find 
One man to fix my heart to constancy and love? 



12 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

If thoughts spell guilt, my heart is deeply dyed. 

From self I fled. Oh, hoary hermit hide 

This daughter of Eve, this cold, unnatural woman. 

Tammen 

'Tis not to hide thyself that thou hast come 

It was to find thyself. Knowest thou this man? 

(Steps aside revealing Degen, who has risen 

to his feet. They look into each other s eyes 

and unconsciously step toward each other, 

throwing out their hands. Tammen waves 

them back, saying:) 
Not yet, my children. Parted centuries, you know 

each other instantly. 
You two have won, through long endeavor, the 

right to memory 
And the higher knowledge. For one brief hour you 

may 
Read o'er the records of your yesterdays. {He 

waves his hands slowly up and down before 

their faces. Both slowly sink down and sleep. 

Tammen clasps hands, exclaims). 
Come, heavenly host, come, Craig, the hour has 

struck ; 
Unbind their eyes, loosen their memories; they'll 

seek the Higher path. 
Curtain 



ACT I 

Scene I — White palace of Degen in the Sixth heav- 
en; green lawns sloping down to lake which is sur- 
rounded by great trees and tall flowers reflected in 
the water. Carved stone seat overhung by tree and 
flowering shrubs in central foreground. Curtain 
rises on group of judges from the Seventh heaven. 

First Judge 

Now, e'er our happy host returns 

From wandering in yon woods with his delight, 

Unseal the record of his long content. 

He must go on, but he must choose to go. 

Second Judge 

The Master Mind proclaims for the young world 
called Earth, 

An era of advancement, and has called 

For several million free souls to start the upward 
drive. 

As we all know, there must be leaders for these mil- 
lions lately come 

From the last dead world, and who in a broad 
stream 

Are pouring out to Earth and teachers need, 
13 



14 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

Must have, in fact. Degen, the Records show, 
Hath lived his well-earned cycle of contentment 

here, 
But seems inclined to tarry ; he should on ; 
For grief, and ignorance, and war and woe 
Go with these bound souls to this new world be- 
low. 

Third Judge 

But he will never go and leave his Corna here. 
And he were less than Angel could he take her there 

himself. 
Craig, thou art the treasured friend of this blest pair. 
What is thy plan to bless the Earth and win Arch 
Angel here? 

{Craig, greatly moved walks back and forth 
across the green lawn, saying in aside:) 
She has the mother soul, she'll do it, she will go. 

{Stops in front of judges) 
I have a plan, but well the High God knows 
I were no son of His if I could plan 
Their sojourn on that earth through sweat and 

blood. 
And not shed tears ; oh ! friends, a heavy load 
Is mine to bear if this you ask of me, 
I'll do it, but I'll weep, this duty hard to see. 



ACT I 15 

First Judge {kindly) 

To thee great Craig is this great work allotted, 
Forget the woe, it is not woe you plotted, 
But Degen's good, and God's great glory height- 
ened; 
Joy ceases to be joy when it cannot be brightened. 

Craig {sadly) 

Yonder they are, forgetful of the ages, 

Nay, age is not for love nor such as they. 

It seems a pity to disturb them here, 

But they, perhaps, would never weary, and the 

earth 
Rolls on in darkness, bound in flesh corrupt. 
I'll see to it they go. 

{Degen and Coma approach, laughing and talk' 
ing brightly. Degen greets them). 
Hail! High Ones, hail and welcome here. 
Blessings do multiply, nor lose their charm which 

ever grows 
More bright. Sometimes I fear 
My blessings blind me; how goes it with the 

Earth ? 
What has the Master planned for it ? In truth 
It looks much like a kindergarten now, 
Such hords of half-formed souls into it pour. 



i6 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 
First Judge 

Such is indeed the plan. Hast thou been there? 

Degen 

Yes, recently with Corna here, 

I toured the younger worlds, and found this Earth 

Presents some interesting problems, and as you must 

know, 
Great numbers from this plane have pledged to go 
In all forgetfulness, and with these clods 
Work their long way back to the plane of Gods, 
But for sweet Corna here — {Degen shakes head 

and turns away; Judges and Degen walk 

off, discussing flowers and shrubs). 
Corna {Timidly approaching Craig, placing hand 
on his arm). Oh! Craig, I fear, I fear — I know 
not what I fear. But Degen is perfect; 
Oh! it could not be; but tell me of these {motions 

towards judges); 
They have been here before, but oh — 

Craig 

Corna, the Master alone is perfect, but he asks 



ACT I 17 

That we draw nigh him — {takes her hands in his); 

child wouldst thou give 
God an Arch-angel, Earth a prophet wise? 

CORNA 

Oh! I knew, I knew that it must come, 
He never can take me, 'tis I must go. 
I cannot tell him, Craig, I'll just away. 
He'll come to find me; farewell, perfect day. 
(Dies). 

Craig 

Father of All, behold this noble child 

Assuming here Inconstancy's dark mask; 

Binding herself upon the wheel of fate. 

Forgetful, helpless in the maw of Time, 

To weave through many lives the checkered web 

Of hopes and fears, of burning love and hate ; 

Divinity deep buried, whose flesh-bound hands 

Beat but a feeble tattoo on the gates of Heaven. 

Father, since I have seen her fall, I pray you let me 

see 

At the end of this long cycle, her rise, her victory. 

(Walks ojf stage, weeping). 
* * * * 

Scene 2 — The same scene as is shown in pro- 
logue. Time, Stone Age. Curtain rises on Coma 



i8 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

and Osmo sleeping in cave. Coma wakes, sits up 
and cautiously creeps away from Osmo, digs in sand, 
drags out bird which she has buried there. Stirs 
fire, throws on wood and puts bird on fire. Pres- 
ently she begins eating it. Osmo wakes and with a 
savage growl, springs on Corna, taking bird away 
from her and eats it as he holds her against the 
wall of the cave, ff^hen he has finished, he throws 
the bones on the fire, turns and beats Corna, shov- 
ing her out of the cave. Both are clad in short skin 
garments. 

Osmo 

Devil, go now and with your devil eyes 

Get more. You put a spell on them and say 

You are more cunning than your man, you devil 

woman. 
You make them hide from me, and then you hide 
What you catch. You would let me starve, you! 

you! 
Go, catch and kill. I'll watch for you, now go. 

{Corna runs down path leaving Osmo alone in 
cave. He walks about muttering, and presently 
walks slowly after Corna. Soon Corna bounds into 
cave, coming in from the other side. She has a great 
fish hugged up in her arms. Looking around and 
finding Osmo gone she drops fish, laughing and 
clapping her hands). 



ACT I 19 

CORNA 

Great, stupid Osrao, I've beat him, sure he's beat 
again. 

I've something here to eat, and he vt^ili come 

With empty hands and drive me out, I know. 

He says he's like to starve, 'tis I who starve ; 

I'll hide it here and when he sleeps, I'll creep out 
here alone 

And eat it all, just every bit, so there! (Puts fish 
in hole in side of cave, concealing it with 
small rocks. Suddenly she drops behind 
boulder, peering around as if frightened. De- 
gen creeps up cautiously, holding great bow 
and arrow in place ready to shoot. He stands 
a long time, looking about, sees Corna, utters 
a sharp cry and springs upon her, dragging 
her from behind the rock. Corna fights him, 
screaming) . 

Degen 

You are my woman now, my woman. Osmo stole 

you from me. 
I had the grandest cave of all, but when I came for 

you 
I found you not, and I have hunted for you ; now 
I take you, you are mine so come with me. {Corna 



20 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

gradually ceases to struggle, timidly touches 
Degen's bow). 

CORNA 

What's this? 

Degen 

This I have made myself. Behold, it bites to kill. 
{Draws bow, shoots arrow which buries it- 
self in rock and sand. Degen laughs). 

I can keep you now, and I can feed you, too; 

Osmo, great ox ! he shall not have you, you are my 
woman. {Gathers her up in his arms and 
starts off, when Osmo with a savage roar 
rushes out on him. Degen drops Coma, 
fights. Osmo chokes Degen. Coma grabs 
stone axe and runs about the two. Getting a 
chance she buries the axe in Osmo's head. 
She screams savagely, drags Osmo to edge 
of cliff and shoves him off. Runs back to 
Degen, tries to revvie him, but finding him 
dead, falls in a fai?it over his body as Oak, 
attracted by her screams, comes around bluff. 
He looks at the dead man, sees where Osmo 
has fallen, picks up bow, examines it, discov- 
ering how it works, he shouts). 



ACT I 21 

Oak 

This makes me master of the world, since he is dead. 
{Drops on knees, looking long and earnestly 
into Degen's upstaring eyes as if to read 
some message for the world in those glaz- 
ing windows of a departed soul. He looks 
at Corna, and finding her alive, takes her 
up, exclaiming) . 
This is my woman now, and we will build 
On his beginning. He was no mean man. {Walks 
off with Corna over his shoulders. Craig 
in white appears and supports Corna's head. 
Curtain ) . 



ACT II 

Scene — Same as last but trail has been widened 
into road which winds up to castle in background. 
Timej centuries later, the begin7iing of the Christian 
era. Coma appears talking to her dogs, great 
hounds that crowd about her. She cujfs them, say- 
ing: 
Down, down! There is enchantment here, I feel 

its spell 
Now as I ever do when in this spot, 
As though some other self had dwelt within 
This rocky cave in ages long gone by. 
I am a foolish maid who thinks she sees 
Life at her loom weave pictures strange and weird 
Here in the gloom of this old cave man's home. 
Here my heart faints with something like to fright. 
Here, too, it beats with what Love's pulse must be ; 
If Fate seeks not this spot to greet me first, 
I'll have naught of him, I'll not know his face: 
Here my prince rides to meet me, and no other place. 
{Laughs, kisses her finger tips as Degen, in 
armor and plumed bonnet, rides up surpris- 
ing her. He dismounts, drops on knees, doff- 
ing bonnet). 

22 



ACT II 23 

Degen 

Sweet Princess of the hills, if I behold 
A mortal maid, behold your knight in me; 
This sword which has not failed me in the past 
Will have a keener edge in fight for thee, and fast 
The blood of traitor hearts will follow each re- 
treat, 
Which but retreats to gather double strength 
For each renewed attack. Thou art too fair 
The chains of lust and slavery to wear. 

Corn A (aside) 

He's mad — (approaches Degen, placing hand on his 

hair) ; 
Arise, Sir Knight, thy words of war and hate 
Are empty here of meaning, for behold I am 
The daughter of my father, noble Justin, who 
Dwells safely in yon fortressed castle strong; 
War comes not here, kind sir, to stop my song. 
Arise. 
(Degen springs to his feet, clasps her hands, ex- 
claiming',) 

Would thy sweet confidence in yon good castle had 
Its root in truth ; would that my words of war 
Were madman's raving, but alas, sweet maid, 
The invader's host like the black plague, arrayed 



24 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

Against thy land, even now do storm the walls. 
{They hear shouting and great commotion) . 
Come, fly with me, I'll guard thee as I may. 

CORNA 

Fly while my noble father fights 

To save his daughter from profaning hands ? 

Sir Knight, I were no child of his could I thus fly 

Before the first faint breath of war, and leave him 

there, 
A prey to doubt, perhaps to die and not to know 
His daughter's soul could bear him company. 
Unsheath the sword you lately vowed would guard 

my life; 
If death awaits me, then am I Death's wife; 
If you do save him, then, Sir Knight, I'll be 
Thy servants' servant, an' thou askest me. 

Degen 

Princess indeed thou art, and like a princess thou 

behavest in the presence of a darker fate; 
Oh! Death would greet me with a laurel crown, 
A sweeter boon than life beneath thy frown. 

CoRNA 

Follow me then, we'll take this narrow path, 
Its dangers frighten every one, but I 



ACT II 25 

Full oft in reckless mood have walked this way 
Among these towering crags, to drop unseen 
Within the castle walls. Sir Knight, I kiss 
That unsheathed sword. {Kisses the sword, turns 
and bounds up over the rocks, Degen follow- 
ing. Enter soldiers in armor with Justin in 
chains and Hagar, Coma's nurse, and com- 
pany of serving me?i and women. Justin 
raises his manacled hands, as company pauses 
in front of cave. Soldiers draw aside). 

Justin 

My daughter, my sweet Corna, it was here 
You loved to while away the happy hours, 
Dreaming your maiden dreams I might not share, 

nor cared to, 
For I knew 

An angel might have traded thoughts with you. 
And joyously returned with yours to God ; 
Look, Hagar, how the flowers bloom where her feet 

have trod. 

Hagar 

Oh, Master! Oh, good Justin! you know 
How oft I carried her when but a babe, down this 
same path to pluck 



26 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

Bright flowers like these, her brightness never dim- 
med; 
The butterflies whose fairy wings were rimmed 
With purest gold, did seek her as a friend, 
Companion sprites, rejoicing in her joy. 
Where, thinkest thou, she tarries? 

Justin 

Hagar, I dare not think; pray thou despair 
Like a strong drug, works madness in my brain. 
That I may see Misfortune's face, more fair 
Than Fortune's own, make fool of Fate again. 

Hagar 

Master, without my prayers, though like a river, 

they 
Flood all my veins, hast thou defeated Fate 
That thou canst look on this, thy darkest day. 
For means to triumph over thy defeat? 
Thy present greatness makes thy past greatness 

small ; 
The day's not done, good Justin, and no more thy 

fall. 

Justin 

Yes, the winds shout victory, shout victory to me ; 
I know not what it means, but Moses' God 



ACT II 27 

Is God still. Hark, I hear her voice! 

Hagar 

Oh, Master! noble Justin, thy hands are chained, 
Thy hands ! thy hands are chained ! 

Justin 

And my sword is broken ; God, Thou art still my 
God. 
{Degen and Coma run in, Degen fighting as with 
the strength of ten, clears way for Coma who rushes 
to her father). 

CORNA 

Father, thy daughter's come and brought thee vic- 
tory, 
Mistake it not, I pray thee, bless me now. 

(Hands him dagger which he plunges into her 
bosom) . 
I faint before thy greatness ; 'tis thy crowning hour. 

(Falls, blowing kiss to Degen with her last mo- 
tion, dies smiling, Justin gazes at her for a mo- 
ment, lays down quietly beside her, dies. Degen fights 
way out, shouti?ig as he wins way to freedom). 



28 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 
Degen 

Angels do carry her, and lay her safe 

Within the bosom of my father's God ; 

I know now why I live, she's taught me how to 

die; 
The rod that broke her, sprouts with living green — 

{Craig, in white, appears beside him, and unno- 
ticed places an arm about his shoulders) . 
And I'll— I'll kiss the rod. 

(Walks off stage with Craig's arm still about 
him, leaving soldiers gazing as if stunned at the 
beautiful body of Coma). Curtain. 



ACT III 

Scene I — Great hall with marble columns and 
stair case, palms and rich hangings. Place, north 
Scotland. Time, beginning of the Eighteenth cen- 
tury. Curtain rises on two gentlemen. 

First Gentleman 

Where is our poet, he was here but now? 
Mark me, Sir Edward, that youth will travel far. 
His latest volume promises so much 
Of mental wealth, as yet he's barely touched 
The fountain of his being — or it so appears. 

Second Gentleman 

I doubt not your words are true enough. Does he 

not go 
To London shortly? I hear he takes his seat 
Next week. The house of Lords 
Will listen to his maiden speech. Is it not so? 

First Gentleman 

Perhaps, but he is not inclined 
To statecraft, and our Laureate 
29 



30 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

Has so unmercifully attack'd his latest work 

I think his energies will all be bent 

To breaking him. You see he lifted him so high 

To ridicule and rob of schoolboy honors, 

He woke the man, and hurled the poet in the public 

eye; 
He'll not be readily pluck'd hence. 

Second Gentleman 

Indeed he seems a fiery youth. He'll grace the name 
He bears. {They pass out through heavy curtains, 
as Coma with Lady Sybil and Lady Clara 
come down stairs, laughing and talking). 

Lady Sybil 

Your young poet moons apart. I wager that 

Behind some palm or pillar, he 

This moment, with the self-same words we all em- 
ploy 

In so plain speech, weaves into elfin music, 

Builds into fairy castles, stitches moonbeam cloth, 

To grace none other than yourself, you naughty 
wight. 

Genius is not personal, j^ou should let him write 

In God's name for the kingdom. 



ACT III 31 

Lady Clara 

Yes, in God's name, since you two have played to- 
gether 
Since Childhood on the banks of Leman here, 
Explored these banks and braes and wandered 

through the heather. 
Scaled these heaven aspiring hills to come more 

near 
To Paradise, no doubt you found it, still 
As Lady Sybil says, the Nation claims 
Genius; I cry "Hands off," until he sees 
You are not England — no — nor Scotland either. 

CORNA 

Oh, hush ! pray hush your foolish chatter. 
Do you think I could love that lame boy ? 

{Lady Clara and Lady Sybil run off laughing as 
Degen walks up to Coma). 

Degen 

You do not care, you mean you have not known 
As I have known for years, that we were meant 
From the beginning and for all time to be 
Completion for each other. I had thought 
That I could trust kind Nature not to lie to me, 



32 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

And Nature still proclaims you wholly mine. 
I am confused, I do not understand. I knew that 
you were mine. 
(Corna makes as if to speak j when Craig appears 
and places hand over her mouth. She seems to 
struggle with emotion, and stretches her hands af^ 
ter him as Degen rushes away. Craig holds her as 
she starts to follow him. She drops her hands with 
a despairing motion as Degen disappears). 

Corn A {after a pause) 

I did not know, oh, boy! I did not know that you 

had grown 
Into a man. I did not know you knew, I only 

knew 
That j^ou were near and kind and that we two 
Never needed words to bind us soul to soul. 

{Another pause). 
But words have broke the spell — just words. 
{Passes out leaving Craig alone). 

Craig 

'Tis hard to keep them from each other's arms. 

But to fulfill their vows, I must 

Withhold this joy a little life or two ; 

I needs must stand close by, the flesh is weak. 



ACT III 33 

His heart is fire now, and he'll hold that torch 
Aloft to lighten this self -blinded world; 
He'll show them their own lies by his self-scorching 
flame. 
(Exit. Enter Coma's father, and Lord Fulton, a 
suitor of Corna). 

Lord Fulton 

Then I may ask your daughter for her hand 
And you will help persuade her it is best, 
Most fitting that her beauty and my name 
Should go together. Will you call her here? 

Father (as Corna returns to the hall) 

She is here. Corna, my child ! 

Corna 

Yes, father, I am here. 

Father 

Lord Fulton honors you — he asks your hand in mar- 
riage. 

Corna 
Father, I cannot — I — 



34 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

Father 
But yes, you can — it is most fit you should. 

CORNA 
I— 

Lord Fulton 

Corna, I claim you as reward for faithfulness, 
I have loved you long. 

Corna 
Father — Lord Fulton — I would — 

Lord Fulton 
Come, it is settled. 

{Takes her hand and kisses it). 
My mother's ring, Corna, shall now be yours. 

(Slips ring on her finger, kisses hand again and 
walks off with her father. Corna stands looking at 
ring on her finger). 

Corna 

It does not matter — {after pause) — nothing matters 
now. 



ACT III 35 

(Stands staring out with unseeing eyes as curtain 

slowly descends). 

* * * * 

Scene 2 — Interior of great Church. Time, years 
later. Curtain rises on group of citizens standing 
near altar which is banked with flowers. 

First Citizen 
The noble poet's dead. 

Second Citizen 
Yes. In Greece, the land of his adoption. 

Third Citizen 

On Freedom's altar he laid down his life. 
He died for Greece, — he died for liberty. 

First Citizen 

England won't mourn him, but she'll boast of him. 

Second Citizen 

There are those will mourn him, even in England 
here. 



36 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

He wrote no more that truth, old England wore 
In silks and sable many a festering sore 
He but thought to cleanse and time will prove he 
did. 

Third Citizen 

England claims his ashes. Today we receive him 
here. 
{Bell tolls and funeral march is heard in dist- 
ance). 
He'll lie in state to receive the homage due him. 

First Citizen 

They say the sweetheart of his youthful days 
Went mad when told that he had passed away. 

{Music ceases, and solemii procession bears body 
of Degen on richly draped bier, into church, placing 
it before the altar. All depart. Coma comes in 
alone). 

CORNA 

He is here, they say that he is here. 
They said that he was dead, but that is false; 
He could not die until he knew that he was dear, 
Dear to my heart. But he shall know. 



ACT III 37 

{Pauses by Degens bier, gazing rapturously at 
his peaceful face). 

He sleeps; I'll not awake him for his dreams 
Are pleasant — how like a god he looks 
In slumber. How like a very god. 
If he would wake, I'd tell him how the years 
Were empty, meaningless and all too long 
After he left me, after he went away. 

(After pause). 
I have been patient, I'll but touch his hand. 

{Clasps his hand J starts violently). 
Cold! he is cold! Bring wraps, some one bring 

wraps. ( A ngrily ) . 
Where are they who should guard the poet's sleep ? 

( Tears drapery from bier and wraps around 
body). 

How he sleeps, how still he lies. He seems 
Not like himself, not like the Highland boy 
My heart remembers, — he was wind and fire. 
How still he lies. 

{Corna's hair drops from its fasteiiing, and she 
wraps it about his hands, frantically endeavoring to 
warm them. Craig appears stands at head of bier, 
weeps as Coma strives to arouse Degen). 
Best, bravest, your Corna calls you, will you not 

awake ? 
There is one truth that's bigger than all others. 
Whom God hath joined ! Whom God hath joined ! 



38 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 

Oh! Oh! what smothers 
His ardent voice — 

Craig {praying) 

Father, compassion moves me, lift the veil 
For but one moment from her darkened eyes. 

(Storm breaks, there is lurid flashing of lightning 
and great crashing of thunder. Craig continues to 
pray and cloud for7ns over bier. Degen appears in 
white, holding out his arms to Coma). 

Degen 

Beloved, I heard thy call ; weep not for me. 
The Father grants this, I may walk with thee, 
Walk with thee to the end. They'll call thee mad — 
-What matters it, so that thou art not mad 
But awake in Spirit land. Oh! be thou glad. 

( They stajid hand in hand with glorified faces 
uplifted toward a great light which streams down 
over them). 

Craig 

The light of the just which shineth more and more 

unto the 
Perfect day. 



ACT III 39 

{The storm continues to rage and Craig still 
prays to hold the spell. Presently the cloud fades 
from about the bier and Degen is seen lying on it as 
before, cold and still. Corna walks out with calm, 
sad face, Craig's arm about her. The light slowly 
fades and darkness gathers in the church and over 
the still form of Degen). 

Curtain 



EPILOGUE 

Same scene as at first, but soft radiance shines 
•ver all. 

Tammen is seen, together with Craig and group 
of judges from the Seventh heaven. Degen and 
Corna still asleep. 

Craig {addressing Tammen) 

It is enough! 'Tis finished — awake them. 

Tammen 

(Passes hands over their faces, calling to them). 
My children, rouse thee ! life calls thee back to duty ; 
Work through the gloom to prove thy dream of 
beauty. 

{Degen and Corna, oblivious to the others, rise 
and Corna stumbles toward Degen s outstretched 
arms). 



Degen ! 



Corna {joyfully) 



Degen 



Beloved, to have thee living in my arms again! 
40 



EPILOGUE 41 

CORNA 

Beloved, to rest within thy arms again! 

{They clasp hands and both turn to Craig). 
You, too, blest Craig, oh! friend, companion, 
brother. 

Degen {turns to judges) 

Hail, High Ones! hail! Oh, teach a willing ser- 
vant, 
What is God's will? 

First Judge 

It is the time of trial, the time of tribulation, shod 

thy feet 
For rougher roads than thou hast traveled yet. 

Second Judge 

It is God's threshing time. There is 

A winnowing of souls; a new time dawns 

For earth, and wearied, faithful souls 

Who have fought a good fight in the epoch past, 

God calls to brighten heaven with a new rejoicing 

Press on a little space, and wide awake. 



42 THEIR LIVES TRANSLATED 
Third Judge 

Earth needs thy knowledge. All that we have 

taught 
Pass on to these, in subtle cunning wrought 
Fit for their minds, fit for their understanding. 

First Judge 

A seeming thankless task is thine, good Degen. 
But dwell upon God's patience to perfect thy soul; 
Remember thou God's everlasting love, and speak. 
The answer is with God and with eternity — 
Thou canst not see the answer, but press on, be 
wise. 

Degen (kneels before them) 

Bless me and give me strength. The earth seems 

dark. 
Bless me and give me memory e'er you depart. 

First Judge 

Memory thou hast, not as a gift from God — 
A self-sought prize, discovered and retained ; 
Thyself sought Solitude and heard him speak. 
Thou couldst not, if thou wouldst, forget. 



EPILOGUE 43 

{Coma kneels by Degen; Craig places hands on 
their heads). 

All the Judges 

Adieu ! 

Craig 

Adieu ! 

(Tammen waves hands; there is a moment of 
darkness and then Degen and Coma are seen alone 
on a bleak gray mountain. They clasp hands and 
with firm steps, start together toward the battle 
field of life). 



Hiy b9 




s.^''"-. ■. 







0° .' 












HECKMAN L 

BINDERY INC. ^ 

e^ DEC 88 



N. MANCHESTER, 
^^^»^ INDIANA 46962 



